Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Melinda here again. I promise to let Hitty Flo have her blog back soon, but this is New Year's Eve and I am compelled to write. First, I have to introduce that lovely doll in my photo. She is Anna Lu, by Annette Himstedt and was my birthday and Christmas gift. She is very likely the last Himstedt doll I will get and I think she is beautiful!

Anyway, I usually resist the whole resolution thing because it brings out the perfectionist in me and the uncomfortable feeling that I will fail. However, this year is different. Even though I still prefer to look at each day as a chance for new beginnings, I am willing to state for the record that there are some things on my mind that I plan to accomplish this year. First, I will continue exercising. No need to dwell on that one - it just has to be an ongoing part of my life. Second, I will SEW! I already have discussed that in previous blogs and am very happy to be getting back to sewing as a creative endeavor. And third, I plan to find a place to volunteer in my community. It's time for that. I've been doing things for my friends in Africa and will continue, but I've been itching to do something locally and I have something in mind. I'll let you know how that goes (with Hitty Flo's permission, of course!)

Monday, December 29, 2008

I took this picture of a Christmas ornament from my childhood that I call The Little Lady Mouse. Right now she is sitting outside of Miss Hickory's cabin and I think they have become friends. I have decided not to return this sweet mouse to the ornament box, but instead to let her stay out and enjoy life as a little mouse friend to Miss Hickory. She reminds me of my mother, who I always miss even more at Christmas, and Miss Hickory could use a friend. Couldn't we all?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

I have just reread a wonderful children's book called "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes. This story is sad and inspiring at the same time, at least to me. I think many of my friends would relate to the little girl in the story who doesn't fit in and is teased by others and who uses her creativity in a special way. I don't want to give away the story, so I won't say any more. However, some of my friends have decided to do a creative challenge of making one hundred dresses for their dolls, or one hundred mini quilts, or something similar. Since I am still trying to get back into sewing and knitting, I have decided to commit to making one hundred "things" for my dolls. That will allow the part of me that can't seem to make more than one of anything a chance to switch between sewing, knitting, quilting and maybe other types of crafts that will always be for the doll companions that live here and perhaps as gifts for some of their friends.

Hitty Flo here! I want to share something very special. We have a nice set of photos the hang on the wall right above our house. Our person's husband had the idea and bought the frame. I am so happy that he likes our photos so much! The four photos are different places we have visited and include France, 2 different parts of California, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Hitty Flo is doing a wonderful job on the blog here, but I would like to have a chance to say something once in a while. I have decided to post photos of a couple of quilts that I have made for our house. We recently painted the walls inside, and it's fun to decide what to hang where in terms of pictures and quilts.

The first quilt is a pattern I fell in love with when I saw it on the front of a quilt magazine. It hangs in our bedroom on a wall that is moss green, so not as dark as in the photo. (The colors in the closeup are more correct.) The "bird quilt" was a present to my husband who is a bird watcher and has scenes and birds from our area. It hangs in our dining room.

I am thinking about my next quilt project(s) which will be something for our entryway which has a 2 story high ceiling and lots of light. This will be a long term project!

Some of the big girls gathered together for a photo since they were all dressed in red. We are all relaxing after such a busy week and are enjoying the many leftovers we have to eat. We hope you are enjoying your holidays!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

We have been so very busy here! Our person has decorated every room of the house. Even the little bathroom has a small Christmas tree in it. Last night she hosted a caroling party and we got to hear all of our favorite Christmas Carols when the people warmed up and then they went outside to sing for the neighbors. I did not go along, but heard that it was quite a success, with the exception of one little toddler boy who cried.

Our own Hitty house has a Christmas tree and Hitty Benita and Hitty Isabella have just finished baking pies for tomorrow's feast.

Miss Hickory is in the Christmas spirit with her cabin nicely decorated and a little lady mouse sitting outside by the big tree.

The vintage dollys remember many a Christmas past when they were the special gift for some little girl. They have the prize spot - sitting under the big tree in the living room. Little Bunny is sitting on a sled, while the twins Teeny and Tiny look on.

The big girls have their own tree and are hoping Santa will come with many presents. Our newest companion, Cookie, does not have a Christmas dress since our person has been too busy to finish it. Cookie really does not mind, though, as she feels lucky to be with a family for Christmas instead of in a box in a doll factory.

Little Moni is just too cute to leave out. She is one of the Himstedt dolls I have mentioned before. We thought she looked especially cute clutching her angel dolly.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Please do not laugh, but I thought perhaps our person's house was haunted. First, the wireless connection for our person's laptop stopped working. It comes and goes, but does not stay on. Luckily she can still plug into the wall and connect, but she is spoiled and prefers to use the computer in the living room. Then, our garage door started to go up and down by itself! The first time it happened was in the middle of the night and I will admit that was scary! We have now discovered there was a short in the remote control of one of the cars, so that mystery is solved. We still do not know why the wireless is unreliable.

Today is the Winter Solstice. It is sunny, but cold. We are looking forward to more sun, but also know this is really the beginning of winter. We would love a white Christmas, but not too cold!

We have been very busy decorating and baking and promise some pics soon!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Our person has been spending way too much time on a project that does not involve any of the doll family here! She created a OOAK (that's "one of a kind") doll as a donation to a club raffle. Sewing satin in such a small scale was a lot of work, but she seemed to enjoy it. She styled the doll's hair but did not have time to repaint the eyes this time. The good thing is now the sewing room is ready for some clothes to be made for other dolls here. We are hopeful!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

On Sunday our person went to a doll show. That is a place where hundreds of homeless dolls are taken to be adopted. It was sad because there were many more dolls than people to adopt them and everyone seemed to be talking about problems of economics and not affording to give these poor dolls homes. My heart went out to the many dolls that were sitting, waiting patiently for adoption.

Of course our person did want to help out and we adopted two. One is a little girl the size of Ally and Lizzy and the other is a Tiny Tears baby. Both are thrilled to be here with long lost sisters and a home all ready to welcome them. Once they have settled in we will post a photo and introduce our newest family members.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Hello dear friends. It is Hitty Flo here again to show you a couple of the larger girls that live here. These dolls are very sweet and docile and seem to enjoy posing in lovely clothes while holding bears and other animals. I really don't know them very well because they keep to themselves most of the time. Also, our person tends to keep them in a dark room for fear of light damaging their vinyl. That is yet another reason to be glad that I am made of wood!

Friday, December 5, 2008

I have had some requests to see more of the Hitty house! We live in a home that is also called The Dollhouse Shelves by the family. They were purchased at a craft fair many years ago and have been the home of many dolls. We are still making the house our own and are always looking for new things to add. Right now we are in the process of installing lighting!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Ally insisted on making popcorn, even though Lizzy told her that they were too little to cook in the kitchen by themselves. It turned out that the hardest part was getting up on the counter! Naturally all the noise of the popping brought Mom running. The girls said they were sorry and wouldn't do it again, but I detect a bit of a smile on Ally's face!

We had a very exciting day today: it was the first real snow fall and very cold. The children are not used to staying indoors and did get a bit bored, and hence into some mischief. But first they played nicely with their dolls.

So now you have met Ally (the brunette) and Lizzy. They are 23" tall, though only toddlers. Many of the dolls here envy their ability to bend their arms, legs and torso in all directions. Perhaps that is one reason they get into so much trouble!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. This is an opportunity to introduce the other members of the Hitty household. We call ourselves The Flatiron Hittys. Most Hittys I know live in lovely traditional houses that remind one of life in the early part of the last century. Our house reflects our guardian's love for color and whimsy combined with the culture of the southwest US.I am in the middle with the turkey right out of the oven. It smelled so good! On the right is Hitty Isabella and on the left is Hitty Benita.

While we cooked Hitty Maria read to the little ones to keep them out of the kitchen for a bit.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Hello dear readers. My name is Hitty Flo. I am a very special doll and live in a house filled with many of my kind. My guardian and close friend seems to have a hard time resisting us and I don't blame her as we make wonderful companions and seem to inspire great creativity. I have a an esteemed ancestry, and am known for my travels and adventures. "Hitty's First Hundred Years" is a wonderful book that can let you know more about me and where I've been. I will share more of my present life in future posts.

My guardian named this blog "Doll Dance" after a song that her grandmother used to play on the piano. There was one other favorite song about a Doll's Wedding that she loved as well. Music and dolls have always been an important part of her life. Now her home is filled with all kinds of dolls, from tiny to large, made of wood, vinyl, composition, cloth and resin. I am very lucky to be made of wood and to be small because it means I get to go on trips while the larger and more fragile dolls must remain at home. However, I am happy to share every detail of my adventures with my friends and will begin to write them here as well.